Bob Autobee relieved son’s killer won’t face death penalty

By Gayle perez
The Pueblo Chieftain

Published: March 6, 2014;Last modified: March 7, 2014 09:28AM

After 11 years, Bob Autobee finally woke Thursday with peace in his heart.

Autobee learned late Wednesday that the man accused of killing his son in 2002 won’t face the death penalty after inmate Edward Montour agreed to plead guilty to first-degree murder in the death of corrections officer Eric Autobee.

“It’s nice to finally have this issue behind us,” Autobee said Thursday of Montour’s decision to plead guilty in exchange for a life in prison sentence.

“It’s been a long time but it’s been worth it in the end. I woke up today feeling like I’ve reached that light at the end of the tunnel.”

Autobee, a strong and vocal opponent of the death penalty, said the agreement came as a surprise and a relief.

“I heard that Edward did say something to his attorney last night that he owed me something. He’s showed that he’s willing to be held accountable.”

Montour officially accepted the plea Thursday afternoon. Autobee and his wife, Lola were in the courtroom to witness the action.

“Society is now safe from Montour and justice will be served,” Autobee said. “Now I can look myself in the mirror and know that my son’s honor is intact and my grandchildren won’t have to live with this (killing Montour) down the road.”

Montour was serving a life sentence for killing his 11-week-old daughter when he killed Autobee, 23, in the kitchen of the Limon Correctional Facility.

The decision to offer the plea agreement came following opening arguments of Montour’s trial on Wednesday.

Autobee, who attended Wednesday’s session, said he believed it was compelling opening statements made by Montour’s attorneys that convinced prosecutors to offer the agreement.

Defense attorneys said Montour’s mental illness was undertreated in prison and it was fear of an attack by other inmates that caused him to snap and kill Autobee.

“I think the opening statements had an effect on everybody. They (prosecutors) finally came to their senses and offered the plea.”

Montour had been on death row after he pleaded guilty in 2003 to killing Autobee and was sentenced by a judge to death.

The sentence was overturned in 2007 by the Colorado Supreme Court, stating only a jury could impose the death penalty.

Autobee initially supported death for Montour but after years of waiting and re-discovering his religious faith, his opinion on capital punishment changed.

He began a relentless campaign against death for Montour and in December, met with his son’s killer where he told him he forgave him.

For the past two years, Autobee pleaded with judges, protested in front of the courthouse and took his plight public through the media with the hope of honoring his late son and sparing Montour’s life.

“I never gave up because I knew what would make my son the happiest was to be successful,” he said. “I didn’t want his name soiled with the death penalty.”

Autobee said he plans to take some time off, but will eventually continue his campaign to eliminate the death penalty in the state.